BIZZARE PRODUCTS UPDATE
Single-board nuclear reactor supplies standby power for 12 Years
Now available on a full-length plugin card  for IBM PC or compatible computers,
the QBX-1 add-on nuclear-reactor card provides backup power for as long as 12
years. When the card senses a power failure, explosive bolts eject moderator
and control rods from the reactors interior within 20 msec, bringing the
reactor to its fully rated output of 20 kW in less then a millisecond. Over its
12-year active life, the reactors power decreases by 25% to 15 kW.
Integral heat fins provide convection cooling of the reactor's 500 W power
dissipation while the reactor remains in its standby condition. If your
computer's fan can't furnish 400 ft3/sec of forced air for cooling, consider
buying the manufacturer's heavy-water cooling jacket and stainless-steel pump
module, which fit conveniently under a desk or a workbench. Latches on each
side of the reactor module let you quickly exchange the radioactive core,
should you need to replace it. An optional circular viewing port of lead glass
lets you check the reactor's internal mechanical assemblies.
To protect users from undue radiation, each reactor includes a shielding kit
comprising five self-stick lead plates and 20 radiation-monitoring film badges.
The lead plates mount inside your computer's enclosure and reduce the gamma
rays that cause soft errors to floppy-disk and RAM data. For further
protection, consider buying the manufacturer's 200-ft extension cords for
keyboards and monitors.
Because the reactor can supply more then enough power for your computer, you
can sell excess power to your local utility company. An add-on phasing and
metering kit (PMK-1) lets you connect your reactor to the local power grid.
Each PMK-1 includes standard power sale contracts and Rural Electrification
Board rules and regulations.
Although not required in all localities, each reactor card package includes a
standard 23-volume site-evacuation plan. The plan includes blank forms for you
to fill in the name and address of your reactor site and then mail to the
Nuclear Regularity Commission. As an option, the manufacturer supplies the plan
on 12 MS-DOS-compatible disks in WordStar format. User-friendly templates let
you type in information so that your word processor can create a complete,
printed document.
Reactor prices start at $2.3 million (1). Delivery seven years ARO.
	- Regus Patoff

Iluminiscent Electronic Products Inc, Box U-235, Trinity Site, NM 43210

Picture
Nuclear reactor supplies CPU power during power failure or other power
emergencies. The reactor also glows in the dark (as will you), which makes it
easy to find your computer.
EDN April 3, 1986	189